Chapter 1
Daphne Shaw sat on the edge of the bed, the doctor’s words echoing in her mind. “Congratulations, Ms. Shaw, You’re pregnant.”
It was something she had anticipated, yet with the pregnancy test results in her hands, anxiety seeped into her core–this child was one she’d “planned through deception.
One month ago, she’d deliberately skipped her birth control, all for this moment. But she knew her husband, Yancey Goodman, would never agree
to it.
Staring out the window, Daphne noticed the night sky–a vast, dark blanker–and realized hours had slipped by Yancey would be home any
minute.
“What should I do? 1
o? How do I tell him? Will he be happy? Or will he lose it she wondered, her nerves on edge.
Just then, the roar of an engine cut through the silence–Yancey was home. Daphne walked downstairs, her heart pounding as she tried to steady herself. No matter what, she’d tell him face–to–face.
The screech of brakes filled the air, followed by the sound of the door slamming open. Yancey stormed in a brown paper bag clenched in his hand. The moment his sharp gaze met hers, a cold, dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
Daphne froze on the staircase, instinctively shrinking back. Her heart raced with a mix of fear and dread.
She’d only seen him this angry once before–on their wedding night, when Yancey discovered the bride wasn’t Hannah Shaw,
In a blind rage, he had wrecked the honeymoon suite and leaving chaos in his wake as he humiliated and crushed Daphne’s spirit. That night haunted her thoughts, casting a long shadow over her heart and mind even now
Yancey-“Daphne stepped forward, wanting to ask Yancey what had really happened. But before she could finish, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her upstairs.
Daphne was petite, and she struggled to keep up with Yancey’s forceful pace. She stumbled on the stairs, and despite her efforts to protect her belly. a sharp pain shot through her abdomen.
“Yancey, please slow down, she pleaded softly. Now, it wasn’t just about her–she had to think of the baby growing inside her.
She hoped her gentle tone would calm him, but instead, he glared at her, his voice dripping with disdain. “Daphne, I never thought you could stoop
this low.”
“What?” Daphne was stunned, unable to understand what he meant
Yancey tossed the brown paper bag at her, and its contents= papers and a USB drive–spilled across the Eoor.
Daphne bent down to pick up the documents, her eyes landing on a DNA report that boldly stated; [Confirms Mason is Hannah’s biological father.] “Hannah again. Just as expected, no one else could ignite Yancey’s emotions quite like she could, Daphne thought, a wave of despair washing over her.
She looked up at iým. “It’s been common knowledge for four years that Hannah is my father’s illegitimate daughter. What does that have to do with
Yancey leaned closer, snatched a page from the pile, and shoved it in her face while grabbing her neck. “See this now! Proof that you and your mom threatened Hannah to leave the country!”
His grip was so tight that Daphne felt as if the very air had been stolen from her lungs. Tears welled–up in her eyes, blurring her vision.
She struggled to read the text until Yancey threw her down like she was nothing, hurling insults at her. “Using dirty tricks to ruin Hannah’s family! How can you be so vile?”
As the air rushed back into her lungs, Daphne gasped, weakly collapsing against the staircase and coughing violently.
The document claimed she paid someone to force Hannah out of the country. Every word and transaction record served as “evidence” of hier alleged involvement against Hannalı
If she didn’t know herself better, she might’v
might’ve believed it.
Ther
gone, I wouldn’t need to go to such lengths–one word from me would’ve been
I forced Hannah to leave! That’s ridiculous. If I really wanted enough to kick Hannah and her mother out of the Slaw family.
Hannah’s just the result of Mason’s affair. Why would I even bother making a big deal out of it? Daphne thought, a hint of scorn in her mind.
1/2
10:50 AM
Chapter 1
She stifled her cough, cradling her belly as she leaned against the railing and looked up at Yancey. “I didn’t do this. She didn’t need underhanded tactics to earn anyone’s affection.
Even in such a disheveled state, Daphne exuded a quiet strength, like a thorny rose, radiating pride from within.
Yancey looked at her, momentarily taken aback. There was something captivating about her unwavering response that began to shake his belief in the so–called ‘evidence.”
“You really didn’t do-” he murmured, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
Suddenly, a phone rang, cutting him off.
Daphne watched as Yancey answered the call. Hannah’s sugary voice came through the other end. “Yancey, I made your favorite steamed fish, and I’ve got that ’82 Lafite. When are you coming over?”
Yancey’s cold expression softened, and his tone, which had been icy just moments ago, took on a gentle lilt. “I’ll be there soon.”
After hanging up, he turned back to Daphne, his cold stare returning–a mixture of disdain and hardness. The evidence is right here. Do Hannah would accuse you without a good reason!”
you think
Daphne stared at Yancey, the man she had loved wholeheartedly for three long years, even standing up to her family for him. His gaze was icy. empty of any love or warmth–just like it had been throughout their entire relationship.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, each breath almost painful. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Yancey, even after three years of marriage, you can’t find it in your heart to trust me even a little bit?”
Yancey let out a scornful scoff, looking down at her with utter contempt. “Trust you? Why would I?
“If it weren’t for Hannah, you wouldn’t even have registered on my radar. You’ve never truly been the real Mrs. Goodman to me in these past three
year.
“You should thank her for speaking up for you. Otherwise, I’d have made your life a living hell.”
Each word he spat out hit Daphne like a knife. Daphne stood frozen, feeling as though the warmth had been sucked out of their once–cozy villa, leaving her heart ice–cold
Well, how.could he trust me when his heart has never truly belonged to me It was all just a foolish dream I’ve been clinging to she thought bitterly.
Daphine lowered her head, hot tears streaming down her pale cheeks. She clenched her fists tightly behind her back, the sound of crumpling paper echoing in the deafening silence.
The pregnancy test, which had once held so much hope, was being crumpled in her hand, buried deep within her heart along with all her shattered dreams and sorrow.
“Yancey has no right to be the father of my child, she resolved silently. Then, whha voice that was surprisingly steady, she said, “Yancey, let’s get a divorce.
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